As digitization takes hold and customer expectations evolve, businesses are facing an era of unprecedented change that is happening at an accelerated pace. In particular, logistics and supply chain companies are under increasing pressure to pivot to a business model that enables greater flexibility and efficiency.

This urgency is largely fueled by the rise of e-commerce as more businesses are moving from offline to online - according to Forbes, e-commerce sales grew by 50% to $870 billion during the pandemic.

The bricks-to-clicks transition has exposed the fault lines in current warehouse operating models and underscored existing business challenges such as labor shortage, increasing customer expectations, and supply chain disruptions.

Materials And Pallets Moving Robots

All of the above challenges point toward the growing significance of automated robotic solutions in ensuring a more efficient and cost-saving warehouse operation. There are many types of robots differentiated to aid different warehousing scenarios, one of which is moving robots.

Equipped with lifting capabilities and SLAM and QR code navigation, Geek+ moving robots are optimized to transport materials within warehouses and even move loaded pallets to outbound destinations.

Earlier this year, Geek+ implemented its first moving solutions project in Italy with Life365, a third-party logistics provider. In the client’s 15,000m2 warehouse, a fleet of M200C moving robots was rapidly deployed and demonstrated strong versatility compared to the old conveyor systems, which were made obsolete.

More importantly, the solution aided Life365 in achieving a fast return on investment, thus providing a useful leg up in booming industries like e-commerce.

Sort-to-Destination Robots

Sorting robots are another type of robot specialized in maximizing sorting efficiency. Geek+ had implemented a large-scale sorting system for Banggood, a global e-commerce player.

The client faced multiple pain points in unpredictable demand and labor-intensive processes often subjected to inaccurate sorting. To resolve its challenges and effectively meet customer demand, Banggood turned to the Geek+ Fleetsort solution, which employs a combination of S20T and P500 robots to realize more efficient and accurate operations via automated parcel sorting.

5 Types of G2P Solutions

G2P (Goods to Person) solutions categorize as P2G, G2P, RoboShuttle, and CASRS to cater to various business needs.

These solutions frequently refer to storage and retrieval systems optimized to fulfill e-commerce orders where pickers pick individual units from storage locations.

G2P solutions can be broadly segmented into the following 5 divisions, namely G2P AGV, P2G, Roboshuttle, ASRS, and Cube ASRS (cASRS).

3 Traditional Different Picking Methods

With the focus on the retrieval i.e. picking process, there are three fundamental picking methods:

Firstly, fully manual picking, where pickers roam the warehouse and pick any product from any location before transporting the product to the packing area.

Second comes zone picking, which is also a form of roaming picking, but in a pre-assigned working area. Picked products may be moved to the packing station via conveyors or P2G robots.

The third approach is the picking station, where the picker remains stationary at their assigned picking station, and picked goods are moved to the picker (hence ‘Goods to Person) via conveyors or mobile robots.

(G2P Solutions: Cost VS Throughput)

Another interesting point to note is that goods are stored differently in the 3 approaches above. ASRS, cASRS, and roboshuttles often utilize a tote with an open top, while goods in G2P AGV and P2G solutions tend to be stored to enable manual pickers to pick from the side as a shelf pick.

Truthfully, no cookie-cutter G2P solution is suited for every warehousing need and scenario. To determine the most appropriate G2P solution for your business, here are some factors for consideration.

1. B2B Or B2C

Firstly, what is the nature of your business (B2B or B2C)? In B2C companies, there is typically a more complicated order structure where more SKUs are required to be put away. Additionally, the type of SKUs involved in B2C may be significantly larger than that of B2B e.g., over 100,000 SKUs.

Here, G2P robots such as Geek+ picking solution would be the best solution as it enables the highest level of flexibility in storing goods.

Walmart, a multinational retail corporation, adopted Geek+ picking solution and successfully improved its warehouse picking efficiency by 3.5 times, and productivity increased from 149 pieces/person/hour to 533 pieces/person/hour.

2. Warehouse Infrastructure

Secondly, what is the infrastructure like in your warehouse? The height and area in your warehouse are important determinants of which G2P solution you should select; for example, warehouses with higher ceilings could maximize the vertical space available by utilizing specialized solutions like RoboShuttle.

Geek+ has established itself as the most innovative automation solutions provider, with goods-to-person technologies forming the backbone of its success. PopPick, launched in early 2022, is already being deployed in warehouses in Asia and the United States. 

The PopPick system comprises picking robots carrying movable shelves from storage locations to PopPick workstations, where intelligent robotic arms present totes or boxes to the operator.

The system can increase picking speed to 650 totes per hour, improve warehouse storage density by 50%, and double throughput capacity.

3. Nature of Handling Units

Thirdly, the volume, weight, and size of handling units in your warehouse are important decision factors. Are the handling units placed in pallets, pieces, or tote boxes? Is mixed handling involved? Different types of handling units will require specialized G2P solutions.

4. Warehouse Performance KPI

Lastly, define your warehousing objectives and the specific performance metrics you want to achieve.

1. What are the key pain points your warehouse is facing?
2. Is your warehouse met with picking inefficiencies and inaccuracy?
3. Is your warehouse met with long order handling time or inventory management issues?

With these questions answered, it would be easier to select the best G2P solution to achieve the targeted outcomes for your warehouse.

In summary, selecting the right solution for your business can be a daunting task.

Before diving into an investment, it is highly recommended to review the existing infrastructure of your warehouse and the nature of your business to understand your warehousing needs fully.

If you have questions about G2P solutions, contact our Geek+ consultants today: